Top tips for marketing courses in Clearing

Hi, my name is Tamsin Scott. I’m the Programme Leader for BA (Hons) Marketing.

What research should I do to prepare for a marketing degree?

There isn’t any specific research required to start your marketing degree, but reflecting on what interests you about marketing would be highly beneficial for you.

You might also want to think about your favourite brands and why they appeal to you. Consider their logos, products or services, what makes them stand out, their pricing strategies, and how the accessibility of their products influences your purchase decisions. Look at how they communicate with their audiences, how their advertising makes you feel, the way they interact with customers online and offline, and the channels they use to do so. All of these aspects fall under the remit of marketers and contribute to the overall success of a brand.

Resource recommendations

This is entirely optional, but if you are looking for some resources, you may wish to check out the following:

• Google Digital Garage – Plenty of free resources are available including online courses, on and offline events and sessions on a wide range of topics including digital marketing, AI and career development.
• Hubspot Academy – Once you sign up for an account there’s free access to lots of marketing-related online courses and On-the-Go videos.
• If you can’t wait and really want to do some reading before beginning your marketing degree, the following books offer interesting insights and are available for purchase on Amazon (and other retailers). Don’t forget, if you secure a place at the university, you will have access to our library, which holds copies of these books (and many, many others).
• Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion
• Contagious: How to Build Word of Mouth in the Digital Age
• Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die

Here are some good podcasts:

• The WARC Podcast, available on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
• The Campaign Podcast, available on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
• Uncensored CMO, available on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

What’s one key piece of advice you would give to a student entering the course via clearing?

Don’t panic. The first and most important thing to know is that whatever happens on results day, it’s not the end of the world. Take a deep breath, make a cup of tea, and relax into the day ahead with a calm determination. We know that things go wrong all the time in life, and examination results are no different. Sometimes things just don’t go the way we want and that is no reflection on you or your capability. Clearing is there to help those students who find themselves in this perfectly normal predicament.

What do we look for in prospective marketing students?

We get excited when we talk to prospective students who show enthusiasm, curiosity and an eagerness to learn. In terms of the rest, we will teach you everything you need to know to succeed in your degree. Thinking ahead, a career in marketing requires you to think outside the box and adapt quickly to new trends in this dynamic field. There are many different aspects of marketing that require various skill sets, from digital marketing and social media management to market research and brand strategy. This means there are plenty of opportunities to find a niche that suits your interests and strengths, whether you enjoy analysing data, creating engaging content, or developing innovative campaigns.

How can I impress you on the interview call?

The best way to impress us on a clearing call is to know what it is you need to find out. Ask the questions that are important to you. The most important person in the whole process is you, and that means we are there to help you make the right decision. So, ask questions, be yourself, and let your enthusiasm shine through. 

Is there anything students can do beyond looking at the course page?

Not at all. The website will be more than sufficient.

What are some common misconceptions of clearing you’d like to address?

Don’t think of clearing just being for students unlucky with their results. Clearing is also designed to help students who have had a change of direction. So do you research in terms of what you would like to study, think about what kind of university is right for you, and secure your place. We’ll help by telling you more about our Marketing courses and what to expect when you study Marketing with us.